Rebecca Hawk Was Sleeping; Neighbor Left Car Running In Garage

Rebecca Hawk, 23, died of carbon monoxide poisoning in her Tampa apartment, 2006 graduate of Forrest High In Jacksonville

Parents Sandra and Douglas Hawk can't believe what happenend, can't comprehend it. Say their daughter was well thought of by all and loved life.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 23-year old Jacksonville woman died in Tampa while she was sleeping, poisoned by carbon monoxide from a running car in a garage next to her apartment.

Rebecca Hawk was found unconscious in her apartment along with her roommate Thursday morning. They were taken to the hospital where Hawk died; her roommate survived.

Hawk's 22-year old neighbor had left his car running for 12 hours overnight in the garage which shares a wall with her bedroom.

Hawk graduated from Forrest High in 2006, then graduated from the University of South Florida in four years. She just completed a training class to become a child protective investigator with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, and was one week into her new job.

"I just can't believe it, I just can't believe it," said her mother Sandra Hawk today.

Her parents live on the Westside and also graduated from Forrest High. They called their youngest daughter "Becky" or "Baby."

"It's been really hard," said her father, Douglas Hawk. "It's one of the hardest things you'll ever do, you don't think you will outlive your children."

They said she was excited about her new career and they are proud parents.

"She was someone who just grabbed life and did things," said her father. Her mother said she had a great personality. "She was outgoing, friendly, kind, compassionate, smart, loved life, made friends easily. And she was so excited about her job - a dream job - taking care of children, so excited starting her new career."

Hawk is also survived by two older sisters and an older brother. "She left a lasting positive impression on all of her friends, her co-workers, all of her family members, and we love her," said her father.

The family will hold a memorial service in Tampa Wednesday for her friends and co-workers there. Her funeral will be Saturday Sept. 10 at "We're For Jesus" church on Main Street.

Hawk's parents said they to find out answers about why this happened after the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office completes its investigation.